Big, Bigger, Biggest!

(May 14, 2011)

Anticipation builds as we count down to the hottest films of the year

No biggies till June 3, when Salman Khan returns with his antics in Anees Bazmee’s Ready. The film was the talk of the trade when the initial promo was introduced. Then the craze tapered but interests peaked again with the introduction of the Dhinka chika song. So although the trailers have been drawing a fabulous response, it’s the posters that could dampen the prospects of the film – they don’ convey anything.

This week saw the release of four movies, of which two met with a good response – Stanley Ka Dabba in select multiplexes while Ragini MMS was appreciated instantly by one and all. The perfect blend of sex and horror has worked big time in favour of Ragini MMS and the film has been getting footfalls in singleplexes as well as multiplexes.

As for last week’s releases, neither Haunted nor Luv Ka The End received favourable reviews and audience response but their respective budgets were their saving grace. If Haunted received footfalls due to its 3D treatment, Luv Ka The End, after a dull start, did steady business. Both movies may not turn out to be money spinners but they will bring modest profits to the people associated with them.

Two action films – Ajay Devgn’s Singham and Salman Khan’s Bodyguard – are hot, hotter, hotest. Ditto for Karan Johar’s remake of Agneepath, toplining Hrithik Roshan. Ditto again for two another action movies – expectations are growing for Shah Rukh Khan’s Ra.One. The mega-star’s Don 2 is also considered a hot proposal and is expected to close out 2011 on a happy note.

Two biggies make their debut to TradeTrac this week and they both have one thing in common – Amitabh Bachchan. After a hiatus, Sr Bachchan will be seen as an angry young man in the aptly titled Bbuddah…Hoga Terra Baap. Made on a budget of Rs 10.5 crore, the film is already a success since the people involved with the product have recovered their investments. What comes in from the film’s theatrical business will be a bonus.

Prakash Jha is back though minus his lucky mascot, Ajay Devgn. But his next film, Aarakshan, is still one of the hottest properties going. Working in the film’s favour is the long weekend and a national holiday (August 15) since the film will release on August 12. Only one hiccup here – the film is releasing during Ramzan. However, tradewallahs are confident of it prospects as it boasts big names like Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Manoj Bajpayee.

PS: Though we intended to include Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara we couldn’t because no one we spoke to in the trade was aware of the film and were therefore not willing to comment.